Nut-castellating machine



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E. J. MOELLER ET-A..

NUT CASTELLATING M ACHINE Original Filed March 1, 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ff l'lllllllli I /ff l ll .n Ill-ll mme.

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EL J. MOELLER ET AL NUT GASTELLATING MACHINE lOriginal Filed March l, 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 um KY? March 10, 1925.

E. J. MOELLER ET AL NUT CASTELLATING MACHINE 5 sheets-sheet 4 originalv AFiled March 1, 1920 I? e9 "7 zza una 72:51

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E. J:` MOELLER ET AL NUT CASTELLATING MACHINE Original Filed Ma`rch 1, 1920 new - mechanism.

Patented Mar. 10, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.EDWARD J. MOELLER AND JAMES'B. MILLER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

NUT-CASTELLATING MACHINE.

Application led March 1, 1320.l Serial No. 362,340. Renewed June 22, 1923.

To all whom/15 may concern:

Be it known that we, EDWARD J. MOELLER and JAMES B. MILLER, citizens of the vUnited States, and residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented the new and useful Improvement in Nut-Castellating Machines, :of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines adapted more particularly for the castellation of nut blanks. p

Castellated nut blanks-are of two types, namely, one type which has a circular crown turned down slightly below the inside diameterof the hexagon, and the angular crown type in which the crown is left angular. The Castella-tion of such blanks by punching operation is generally a diiiicult operation due to the excessive wear on the punch and die set. Where the punch and die are eX- traneous of the holder for kthe blank, the crown of the blank can be placed between ythe punch and die. This requires merely the shifting of the holder during the successive castellating operations on the blank where the crown is circular; such an operation is not, however, possible with angular crown blanks.

One of the objects of this invention, therefore, is to provide a machine whichis adapted for the castellation of all types of nut blanks, whether having circular crowns or angular crowns.

Another object is to provide ra machine which will be automatic inits operation so as to take the blanks from a source of supply and automatically perform lthe castellating operations thereon. o

Another object. is to provide improved supply mechanism adapted to permit selection of theblanks from a source of' supply and transfer yof the same to the castellating Another object is to provide mechanism for alining misplaced blanks so as to insure their proper positioning with respect to the castellating mechanism.

Another object is to improve the construction `and operation of the blank castellating mechanism so as to adapt it for nuts of different sizes and types.

Another obj ect is to provide ejecting mechanism adapted to eject the blanks after the castellating operations have been performed thereon,

Another object is to provide .retaining mechanism for the nut blanks which is arranged to place the nuts in proper cooperative relation with the several mechanisms of an automatic nut blank castellating mechanism.

Further objects will appear from the detail description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan of a machine embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevation, partly in section;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3 3, Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing detail ofthe mechanism for driving the turret.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the pawl;

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6 6, Figure 1;

Figure 7 is an enlarged section of the nut i holder taken on the line 3-.3,.Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a detail of the nut retainer; Figure 9 is a detail of the nut alining element; l

Figure 10 is a perspective view of one form of nut;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of another form of nut; n

Figure 12 is a diagram of a special form of cam;

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing another embodiment of this invention; o

Figure 14 is a detail elevation of Figure 13; and

Figure 15 is a section on the line 15-15, Figure 14. v y c Referring to the accompanying drawings, the mechanism illustrated in the embodiments lof this invention is ,particularly designed to be placed on apunch press, although it will be understood that the mechanism may have operating mechanism asa part thereof apart from any punch press.

In the drawings, 1 designates the yoke, 2, the table, and 3, the head of any suitable punch press, all of which may be supported on a suitable frame 4. The table of the punch press is apertured as shown at 5 and is furthermore perforated to receive bolts forv attaching the mechanism thereto and'` guided in the head 3 is a ram 6. It will, of course be understood that this ram has suitable mechanism tor reciprocating the same and that suitable clutch mechanism is pro- 5 vided.` Since, however, such details are well known ii'rtheiart, turther description is unnecessary.

asteZZut/ng mechanism.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1, 2', 3, 6, 7A and 8, 7 designates a' base arrangedto be attached to the punch press over the aperture 5 and adjustably mounted oir-"thisy base vare a pair of die elements 8 'E`wh`iehare clamped in position by clamps 9 in order to position the cutting edges of the i i dief eleinentsover an"'apertiue 10. A punch y i y'carrier 11 guided tor movement in thebase 7 has :a projectingpunch 12 arranged to cofopera`tewith the die elements 8. This punch carrier rests upon a head 13 which is under if the tension" of a spring 1li supported by a stirrup 15. The punch carrier 11 is arranged to be operated by the ram G so as to cause engagement of the punch with the die, while'this punchcarrier is returned by the 1"spring 14.

Mounted in a bearing 1G on the base 7 is a 4carrier 17"which has secured thereto a ratchet 18 engaged by a pawl 19 on a pawl earrier20` which is in turn connected with any oscillating lever 21 pivoted on the head S. Pivoted on the head and at the point of oscillation of the lever 21.7is a plate 22 provided `with a cam 33 in which works a `cam roll 34 on the ram 6. This: plate 22 is provided with set screws 23 ormingtappets arranged to engage the arm 21'. lith this construction. upon reciprocation of the raingthe carrier y"will be rotated step bystep in timed relation with the reciprocation of the punch.

Arranged within the carrier 17 and keyed x thereto is a nut blank holder 2st having an angular vv'portion' 25 corresponding to the y"contour of theE nut blank to be castellated.

This holder is detachably and interchangei ably retained in position by'a clamping nut 2G and a lock nut 27. It will be understood that'the teeth of the ratchet correspond in number to the shape of the nut to becastellated and that suitable means is provided lfor retaining the'carrier in its position of adjustment, such as a spring` pressed plunger 28 adapted to take into recesses 29 in the ratchet.

When a nut blank 30 is placed upon the reduced end 3l ot a split retainer 32 and the blankis inserted endwise into the holder f 24. the crown of the nut will project beyond c()v the holder and vwill rest upon the die ele- Iments 8 and with the punch interiorly of the nut blank, as shown in Figure 6. It now" theram is started 'to reciprocate, the punch will move `*outwardly 'Hand in `cooperation ai; with the die, will punch castellate lthecrown 'the next position.

ot' the blank. As the punch rises with the ram, the latter will rotate the carrier 1T and the holder therein-through the proper' angle between the nut faces, and as the punch again descends, it will punch Castell-ate in In 'this "way, the entire circumference ot' the crown. is castellated. andafter complete castellatiou, the castelg lated nut can be withdrawn by the retainer 32, which has a` yielding gripping connection with the nut7 but permits the nut to be rotated thereon during the. castellating operation.

T 71.@ ttl/rre t.

vReferring to Figures 1 to 5 inclusive. thel base 7 is Vmounted on a sub-base vwhich is bolted to the table 2 and which is-provided withV set screws 36 for accurately positioning the base 'T thereon. Mounted on the sub-base or traine 35 is a turret 37, which has a hub 38 bearing in the iframel and retained in position by plates entering an annular recess in the hub and secured to the frame. The hubhas 'four recesses L'LO torming teeth for engagement by a pawl hereinafter to be described. The `frame 35 has secured thereto downwardly extending legs 41 which support a bracket `12, provided with a hearing Stor a sleeve 14, on

which is journalled a worm wheel 45 with 'which meshes a worin lt6 on a shaft 47, supported in bearings 48 on the frame 35 and provided with a sprocket L9 connected by a chain 50`with a similar sprocket 62 on a shaft G3 on the punch press. The worm wheel l5 rests upon a iiange 51 on the bearing 41? and is steadied by a hardened ring 52 arranged in a recess in the trame 35 and engaging the rim o't' the worm wheel.

The worm wheel l5 has a boss 53 in which is guided a pawl normally pressed upwardly by a spring 55 and adapted to enthe teeth 4t() in the hub 38 ot the turret. The pawl 54has a cani lug 56 in the ,ath oi an annular" cam 57 projecting downwardlv from the 'traine adjacent the hub 38. The recess ot'the cam extends tor a little over ninety degrees as shown in Figure 1.` while the'depres'sing rise extends tor the remainder of the circle. As the worm wheel t5 is driven in the direction ot the arrow, Figure 1, it will carry the pawl 54 with it. rl`his pawl is. however. retained out of engagement with the hub 3S Ator about three-fourths ot a revolution and, therefore. moves idly with the worm wheel. As soon, however, as the cam lug 5G reaches the recess inthe cani, its spring 55 will snap it into the next recess or tooth 4:0 on the turret huh and. thereafter. the turret is carried with the worm wheel. At the end of a quarter revolution, however, the cam lug 56 engages the earn 57 retractingthe pawl 54 out of engagement witlt tlieiturret hub, so

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that this turret hub willthen remain stationary after having passed through a quarter revolution, while the pawl continues in its movement with the worm wheel through another three quarters of a revolution.

In order to accurately position the turret in its four different positions, the turret hub is provided with conical recesses 58 arranged for engagement by the cone-pointed end of a plunger 59 movable in a bearing G0 on the frame 85 and impelled by a spring 61. This spring pressed plunger will snap into and out of engagement with the recesses so as to locate and lock the turret accurately in its different positions.

Blaak re miners.

.A The turret is provided with tubular arms having bearings 66 in the ends thereof, in which areguided the blank retainers 32, there being four of these retainers, each retainer being slit, so as to form yielding gripping devices for the blanks. Each barrel 65 has sliding therein a forked khead 67 between which and the bearing is a. spring 68, which rtends to normally move the retainers to reface, the wings, however, terminating in rounded ends 76, for a purpose to be hereinafter described, and it will be noted that the cam thus formed has a straight portion 177'which positively locks the head G7 and the retainers in their outward positionsy against the ktensions of their springs 68. The shaft 72 has an overhangmg lug 7 7 at right angles to the head 71 and projecting to the right, Figure 1, so as to take behind the retracted'heads when in the rightyposition for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The shaft 7 2 has loose thereon a collar 7 8 bearing on one end of a spring 7 9 encircling the shaft, the other end of the spring bearing against a collar .retained on the shaft by a cross-pinv 81. The collar 78 is engaged by a forked arm 82 pivoted on a bracket 88 on the frame 85 and provided with a cam roll 84 engaging acam 85 fixed to and moving with the worm wheel 45.

The shaft 72 extends downwardly into aA 7 2 has a key Way 89 engaged by a guide-pin so as to prevent the shaft from turning.'

'of the tips ofthe retainers.

The spring87 is of greater tension than the spring 7 Qnso that it will overcome the same. The turret is furthermore slotted as shown -at 91 so that thehead 1, aswell as the lug 77, can pass freely into andL out of the turret.

springs G8 from extended position, such retraction is positively insuredr by the elements 75. In the highest position of the hcad, however, the elements 7 5 will pass out of mesh and cooperation with the cam rolls (i9 altogether and the turret can then be moved through a quarter of a revolution as the head is at this time entirely clear of and abo-ve the turret. Then the turret has now been moved through a quarter of a revolution, the head will again descend under the action of its cam 85 so as to retract the next setv of arms, while the lug 77 will take behind the head 67 on the right retainer, Figure 1. to positively prevent extension of that retainer. The head and the turret are thus n'ioved alternately. i

TI c lor/(Zeng in eczmicism Referring to'Figures 1, 2 and 3. mounted in the end of the frame 35 is a base 1.00, which has mounted thereon orformed thereon a raceway r101 for a stack of blanks. and at the termination of the raceway and in the path of movement of the retainers 32 is a slot 99 permitting passage underneath the raceway of these retainers. Arranged underneath the racewayr is a` springpressed plunger 1.02. lia-ving a stop 103 for positioning the head of the plunger slightly behind the blank which is dropped down `from the racewav, it being understood that the transverse slot underneath the raceway extends somewhat back so as to permit free passage The base is secured by bolts 104e and is accurately adliusted by set screws'105.

When one of the retainers is positioned opposite the raceway and is then moved outwardly 'by the head 71. the point of the retainer enters the blank which has left the raceway so as to grip the same internally. In order to permit such firm gripping action, the plunger102is provided.` which under the tension of its spring provides a yielding abutment. Accordingly a firm engagement of the nut blank with the retainer is insured. However. if there is a Vdefective or misplacedl blank. the spring pressed plunger willf give and thusv prevent breakage.

Then the head 71 now again rises, the retainer Ywill be retracted, carrying the blank with it and thereafter the turret vis moved from position A to position B. At the position A, therefore,the retainer is loaded with a. blank.

The Nan/c @lining mechanism.

Referring to Figures 1 and 9, mounted on the. frame 35 between the positions B and C is a circumferentially extendingplate 110. This plate is detachably connected with the frame by screws 111 and is in such a position that its upper edge will be in the path of the angular portion of a nut blank when on the retainer in its retracted position l. The .upper edge. of this part is at suoli a height that aflatface of a bla-nk will slide on it. If, therefore, a nut is in such a position that the lower fiat face is not horizontal, it will be tipped by the plate and made `horizontal in lorder that the nut may properly cooperate with the angular' portion 25 of the holder 24. lt will, of

/ f course, be understood that on account of the spring action of the retainer, the blank is frictionally held in the position that it is adjusted by the plate 110.

It will, therefore, be seen that when the retainer moves from position B to position C, the blank-will be straightened for proper cooperative relation with the blank holder so that when the blank arrives at position C, while it will have left the straightener 110,

` ita-will be properly alined and straightened. ln position C, the retainer is again extended, causing the blank to enter the blank i. of a cain lug 124 on the cam S5.

holder with its crown on the die and with the punch inside of the blank. In this polated and is then withdrawn.

Blank 'ejer/ting mechanism.

i `After the blank has been castellated and withdrawn yfrom` the castellating mechanism so that the retainer is fully withdrawn, vthis retainer is moved to position D. At position D is an ejecting device, comprising two prongs 120 of a fork mounted on an arm 121, pivoted at 122 on one of the legs 41 and provided intermediate its ends with a stem 123, the end of which is in the path The stem 123 has fixed thereto a collar 125 against which bears one end of a spring 126 bearing at its other end against the leg 11. This spring` normally holds the arm 121 in engagement with an adjustable stop 127 on the iframe vThe fork prongs 121 have beveled ends 128 inthe path of the retainers B2. as-shown in Figure 1.

d'Yhen/the fork 120 is positioned by the vstop 127, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the beveled ends thereof are slightly beyond the path otthe shoulder formed bythe retainer sition, the blank is held while it is castel 532 and its tip. At this time, the` retainer will be securely locked againstextension by the lug` 77 taking behind the head 6", as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Accordingly, when the retainer moves from position C to position D, the` fork will straddle the retainer innnediatelv behind'the blank. As,

however, the turret comes to rest with the ln castellating` the form of blank illustrated i1i.Figui.'e 10, this blank can remain in the same axial position, due to the fact that the crown is circular and accordingly this crown can simply rotate on the die elements 8. Such operation is not, vhowever,-possible with the form of nut shown in Figure 11, which has an angular crown. In `the castellation of such a blank, it is necessary that the blank be retracted intermittently during each punching operation so that its face will lie within the blank holder 24, Figure 7.

In accordance with this invention, therefore, as illustrated in Figures' 12 and 13, the cam 85 is provided with a` series of cam recesses 180 cooperating with a roll 84, the number of these cam recesses corresponding to the number of castellating notches or recesses in the nut. The depth of these cam recesses is sufficient so as to cause a sufficient upward movement of the head 71 so that the crown of the angular nut will be retracted inside of the holder 21, Figure 7, in order to clear the die elements 8. It will be understood that when castellating such an angular crown nut, the die elements 8 are replaced by elements whose upper-cutting edges and faces are level with the bottom angular face of the angular vportion 25 of the blank holder 24.

In the operation of this embodiment, therefore, when the given retainer arrives at position C. Figure 1., and positions the nut blank inside of the holder and with the crown of the angular nut (Figure 11) on the die elementsS, after the operation of the punch and after the. punch has been retracted, the cam roll S4: will drop into the first recess 130, thereby causing the retainer to be retracted suiiciently, carrying the blank with it, so as to cause vthe blank to be retracted from the die and inside ofthe angular portion 25 of the holder-241 While still being maintained in,\,that angular portion;

xthereafter theholder is rot-ated throiugh a be completely Withdrawn from the holder of the castellating` mechanism. f Embed/ments of Figures 13 to 15 inclusi/ve.

Referring to Figures 13 and 14, the cam roll 84 is in this case mounted upon an arm 140 having a hub 141 sliding upon the shaft 72 and resting' on the spring 79. This arm has a projection 142 guided in a slot 143 0n one of the legs 41,4so as to keep the arm 140 from turning. The heads G7 of the retainers 252 are engaged by the cam head 144 on the shaft 72, it being understood that the retainers and their heads are guided in the arm of the turret and that springs, such as 68, (Figure 3) are provided for acting normally to retract the retainers as in the embodiment previously described, it being noted in this connection that except as hereinafter described, the construction and operation of this embodiment, Figures 13,14 and 15 is similar to that heretofore described.

Mounted on opposite tubular arms are brackets 1457 each comprising a pair of spaced lugs between which is pivoted a bell crank lever 146, having arms 147 and 148 arranged to embrace the projecting portion of the head 144. Mounted to slide in one of' the arms and a bracket 149 attached thereto lis a plunger 150 having a rounded end,` ar-` ranged to co-operate with a rounded depression 151 in the bell crank lever and provided `witha collar 152 fixed thereto against Which bears a` spring 153. Each head 67 is provided with an upwardly extending lug 154 sliding in the slot 91 in the tubular arm 65 of the turret.

Asthe head 144 is retracted to dotted posi- `tion, Figure 14, the engagement of this head j 'with the arm 148 will cause the tip thereof retraction of the retainer by the engagement of the tip of the arm 148 with the lug 154.

ti t) Furthermore where the cam 85 is provided with the recesses 130, upon each slight elevation of the head 144, the engagement of the head with the arm 147 Will cause intermediate retraction of the blank retainers 32 during the castellation of an angular crowned nut, as in the previous embodiment heretofore described. The purpose of the .I

plunger 150 is to lock the ybell crank levers 146 in normal positions, so that rotation of the turret will permit ready alinement of the head 144 With the pairs of bell crank levers 146. i i

Rsum 0 f operations.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and12, the machine is set in operation, it being understood that the shaft 47 is operated in timed relation With the shaft 63 operating (or driven in timed relation with)` the punch, so as to cause the punch to execute a series of operations corresponding innnmber tothe faces of theinut blanksv to be castellated, a complete cycle of operations vvilll be as follows:

When the turret moves from position D to position A, after a given retainer is located in a position opposite the blank racevvay 101, the retainer is moved outwardly,v thereby causing thetip thereof to venter and grip the last nut in the raceway. Thisretainer is now retract-ed carrying the nut with it inwardly, Whilev the stack of nuts in the` raceivay again drops down so astok again position a blank at the bottom of the raceway.

rlhe movement of the retainer from position A to position B is really an idle one because at this time there is no operation yperformed on the nut. As, however, the retainer moves from position B to position C,

the blank is alined and straightened so as to presenta lower face in a horizontal plane, it being understood that the retainer remains retracted at this time.v 17V-hen the re` tainer arrives yat position C, therefore, it

will While still retracted have the blank lirmj ly gripped therein and -in a position with its lower face horizontal.' n

At position C, the retainers move outwardly under the yielding action of the actuator and position the blank inside of the holder of the castellating mechanism with the crown of thel blank on the die. Where ioo iiu

the nut to be castellated is a circular crowned one, as illust-rated in Figure l'10,the`

while retracted during each punching operation. After completion of the castellating operation, the retainer is again retracted lWhen the retainer moves from position C to position D, at which time it is retracted, the retainer With the castellated blank thereon will move into cooperative relation With the ejector mechanism and as theractnating head again moves down, it will first operate to lock the retainer against outward movement and Will then cause the ejector to move eration.

forcibly foutward, *thereby* stripping ithei` castellate `a blank, a blankholder, a blank blank from the retainer.4 Tlii's'l'completes the 1 retainer, operating means for said retainer, cycle of operations:v and vmeans for automatically controlling the It Will, therefore', be seen thatthe invenz-operationuof said retainer in timed relation tion accomplishes its objects. The maohinerwithfsaid niechanismzadapted to place the is entirely automaticzin--its action-fand cerblank into said holder-for castellation and tain and positive so as to insure complete Withdraw: it from said holder at the comoperation for -the- 'productionfof' completeTIA pletion of the castellatioir castellated nuts. #ThesupplyYinechanismis 4. A -machine of the character described, such as to permit-fori automatic' discardingicomprisingr.mechanism adapted to punchof imperfect vblanks'iand preventlclogging castellatevablank, fa rotatable-blank holder or breakage. `The aliningior -straightening ladapted-to positionl a blank for operation by mechanism operates to -straightenfany l'mis-said mechanism, a blank retainer, operating.

placednutsf* The ejecti-ng mechanism op-- means1 for saidretainer, and means for autoerates in a positive mannerfso as -to 'eject'fmati'cally controlling the operation of said the castellated' `blanks as completedabyrthe lretainer-fin time'drelation with said mechcastellating mechanism,= but this' fejectingiifianismfladapteditofplace the blank into said mechanismfis so yconstru'cted'fas'to prevent? holder-:foricastellationandWithdraw it from interruption or breakage.

The retaining mechanism iis arrangedf'not itionafl onlyto 'operate in timed-relation'ivithiithe"; 5. A machine :of -tlie character described, castellatingfmechanismibutfitvis alsoso fconcomprising, -mechanism adapted to punch-l saidfih'older lat the complet-ion of the castellaf structed bythe yielding connections `-that@castelflatef afblank, a rotatable blank-holder, 1

breakagel is avoided. This retainingi andr means for-shifting said-holder While a blank placing mechanism is 'so' constructed thatais positioned therein, a blaiikretainer, op- With the provision' of the Areplaceablev punch#A eratingimeansfor said retainer, and means and die and holder',"nutsfof various sizes ands for automatically controlling lthe operation types can be lcastellated. Tli-"machii're can of saidiretarinerin timed@ relation with said be readily changed from' circiiilarcrow'n to 'fmechanism;'adapted to place the blank-into angular crownI nuts by the simple replace'- saidiholderfor castellationand'withdraw it mentof a camlwhich is detachablyboltedlin ifrom said. holder at the .completion of the position and, therefore, permits the machine'l castellation'; to be 'readilyconvertedi G. A machine-,fof the character described,

It is obvious-that variouslchanges` may be"f'comp'rising,fzX mechanism adapted to punchmade in the details of 'constructionfivithout 'castellatel a blank, a rotatable blank holder departing from the'spirit of thisinvention ;f adapted toi-position a blank for operation by it is, therefore, to be understood that this-"said-'imechanism 1a blankfretainer adapted to invention is not to'be limited totlie specific `movabliyLretainal blank thereon, operating details shown` and described.-`4

Having thus describedvthe'inventiongwhatmatically controlling the operation of said is claimed is: ietainer'=fin timed-relation with saidmechl. A machinewof the; lcharacter-describecL-vanismgadapted to place the blank into said comprising, -niechanismf 'adapted toV punch- `holder?for' castellation and Withdraw it from castellate a blank, a blank retainerfoperatingf.saidholderfat Athe complet-ion of the castellameans for said1 retainer, and means `forauto-A fft-ionyiiz maticallycontrolling the'operationfof said- 'i'. A machine-of the `cha 1acter described, retainer in timed-relationWitlnsaid mech- -comprising,:.mechanisinadapted to punchanismf adapted to position a blank in coopcastellate a blank, a rotatable blank'holder, eration withfsaid mechanism, andwithdra'iv: means for shiftingsaid holder While a blank the blank'afterthe `complet-ion of the castel- 'is positioned therein, a blank retainer latin'g operation.- adaptedfto rotatably support `a blank there- 2. A machine of the character described, oniopeatmg'mems Ol 'Sad 'elamel, and comprising,v mechanism adaptedftofpunch'- -meflrls'fo"aut'omiltmuy@Qlmpumg the QP Castellata blank, a blank. reta-nerr operati, eration-of 4said retainer inltiined relation ing meansforf'said retainer,and means ifor =W1th Sad mehamsmi"adaptml t0 P1510@ a auematicallyControlling-the operat-onfofqblank into` said holder and Withdraw the Said retainer in timed relation. Wit-,111' Said same after the completion of the castellating mechanism, adaptedl to positionva blankiin OperationA cooperation with said mechanism, maintan- 8. A-machi-ne of thecharacter described, said blank therein duri'ngfthe castellating op-fcomprising; l nutl blank castellating- .mechaeration thereon, and WithdraiiT the blainkfinismy'means adapted to position a blank for after the completion of the 'castellatingope-'operation by. saidflmeohanismy and .means for'successively retracting tlie..blank. 3. A machineof 'the'characteri described',"-- 9. Afmachine of the character described, comprising, mechanism adapted to punchcomprising, nut blank castellating mecha` meansyforisaid'retaiiier', and rmeans for auto- 1l. A machine of the character described,

comprising, nut blank castellating mechanism, means adapted to position a blank for operation by said mechanism, means for shifting the blank, and means for retracting the blank. l f

12. A machine of the character described, comprising, nut `.blank castellating mechanism, means adapted to position a blank for operation by said mechanism, means for shifting the blank, and means for retracting Y the blank upon each shifting movement.

13. A machine of the character described, comprising, nut blank castellating mechanism, means adapted to position a blank for operation by said mechanism, and means for shifting and retracting the blank in timed relation With said mechanism.

111. A machine of the character described, comprising, nut blank castellat'ing` mechanism, means adapted to position a blank for operation by said mechanism, and means for shifting the blank and for retracting the blank from said mechanism during each operation thereof.

15. A machine of the character described, comprising, nut blank castellating mechanism, means adapted to place nut blanks into and out of position for operation by said mechanism, and means for operating said placing means for successively retracting the blank.

16. A machine of the character described, comprising, nut blank castellating mechanism, means adapted to place nut blanks into and out of position for operation by said mechanism, and means for operating said placing means for retracting the blank from said mechanism upon each operation thereof.

17. A machine of the character described, comprising, nut blank castellating mechanism, means adapted to place nut blanks into and out of position for operation by said mechanism, and means for successively shifting the blank and 'for retracting the blank upon each shift thereof. i

18. A machine of the'character described, comprising, nut blank castellating mechanism, a blank retainer, adapted to receive a blank from a source of supply, means for shifting said retainer to aline` with said mechanism, means for operating the alined retainer to place the blank in position, and means for alining the blank While said retainer is shifted.

. on said retainer.

19. A machine ofthe character described, comprising, nut blank castellating mechanism, a blank retainer, adapted to receive a blank from a source of supply, means for shifting said retainer to aline Wit-h said mechanism, means for operating the alined retainer to place the blank in position, and means for rotating the blank on said retainer While it is shifted.

20. A machine of the character described, comprising, nut blank castellating mechanism, a blank retainer, adapted to receive a blank from a source of supply, means for shifting sai-d retainer to aline with said n'icchanism, means for operatingthe alined retainer to place the blank in position, and a shifting element in the path of the blank While said retainer is shifted..

21. A machine of the character described, comprising, mechanism adapted to punchcastellate a blank, a rotatable blank holder,

means for shifting said holder While a blank is positioned therein, a blank retainer adapted to rotatably support ablank thereon, means for operating said retainer to receive a blank from a source of supply and place the same into said holder, and means for rotatatively shifting a misplaced blank 22. A machine of the character described, comprising, nut blank castellating mechanism, a source of blank supply out of alinement With said mechanism, and means adapted to select a blank from said source and place the same into position for operation by said mechanism.

23. Ay machine of the character described, comprising, nut blank castellating mechanism, a source of blankr supply, means adapted to select a blank from said source and place the same into position for operation by said mechanism, and means for alining the blank before it is placed in position. 24. A machine of the character described, comprising, nut blank castellating mecha.- nism, a source of blank supply, means adapted to select a blank from said source and place the same into position for operation by said mechanism, and means for `alining the blank during itstransfer from said source to said mechanism.

.25. A machine of the character described,

comprising, nut blank castellating mechanism, a source kof blank supply, a blank retainer, means for alining said retainer with said source and said mechanism, means for operating said retainer to select a blank, and

means for `operating said retainer to place operating-:said retainervto select a blank, means: for operating said retainer-to/place the-blank thereon in position for operation bysaidmeclianism, and means for shitting f a misplaced blank on said retainer.

fainisplaced blank on said retainer .during its transfer from said source to said mechanism.

28. A machine or the character described, comprising, nut blank castellating,` mecha- "'nism, a blank retainer, ejecting`v means, and

meansv for moving-said retainerto aline successively with said mechanism and said `ej eating me ans.

29.` A machine of the character described,

lcomprising, nut blank Castell-ating mechanism, afsouice ot blank supply, blank ejecting` means, and a blank retainer movable successively to aline with said source, said mechanism and said ejecting,- means.

30. A machine of the character described, comprising, nut blank castellating mechanism, blank alining means, blank ejectingl means, and a blank retainer movable successively to aline with said aliningrmeans,said

mechanism and said eject-ing means.

31. A machine or' the character described, con'iprising, nut blank castellatine mechanism, a source Aof blank supply, blank aliningr means, blank ejecting means, and a blank retainer movable successivelyto aline with said source, said alining,` means, said mechanism and said ejecting means.

82. A machine of the character described, comprising, nut blank castellatingcmechanism, a source of blank supply, blank ejecting'means. a blank retainer movable successively to aline with said source, said mechanism and said ejecting means, and means for intermittently retractingsaid retainer lwhile in alineinent ivitli said mechanism.

A machine ot the cha acter described, comprising', nutV blank castellating mechanism, blank aliningY means, blank ejectingr);v

means,;a blank retainer movable successively toalme ivith said alining` means, said mechanism and said ejecting` means, and meansI for intermittently retracting said retainer While `in alinement with said mechanism.

34. A machine of the character described, comprising', nut blank castellatingv mechanism, a source fof blank supply, blank alining-means. blank eject-ingmeans, a blank retainer movable successively'tov aline with said source, said alining means, said `mechanism and said ejeetingimeans, and means for intermittently retractil-1g said lretainer While in alinement with said mechanism.

35. A machine ofthecharacter described, comprising, nut blank castellating mechanism, ablank retainer, meansr'ornlining` saidA retainer lwith` said "mechanism, and means for intermittently Aretracting,` said retainer While aliiietlWitli-said mechanism.

3G. A-'machine ofthe characterl described, comprising, nut blank castellatinpr v-mechanism,J a source of bla-nk supply, av blank rctainer movable@successively to aline ywith said source and'said-mechanism, and means for intermittently -retracting said retainer While alined with said mechanism.

3T. A machine oi' the character described, comprising, nut blank. castellating mechanism,a source of blank supply, aseries ot blank retainers, and iii-cans Attor shitting said retainers adapted` toaline oneot said retainers with said source and the other retainers With said mechanism.

38.*A-machine of the character described, comprising',- -nut--blank castel-lating .mechanism, a source of blank supply, a series olf' blank retainers, meaiis-forf shitting said rctainers adapted to aline one ot said retainers with said sourceand all the other retainers with saidmechanisimand means vt'or intermittently retra'cting said retainers while so alined.

39. A machine ofthe character described, comprising, nut blank castellating` mechanism, a source otblank supply,blank ,ejecting means, a series of blank retainers, and means for shifting said retainers adapted to aline onefot said retainers Withfsaid source. another oi' said retainers with said meclianisnr. and another or' said' retainers with said ejecting mechanism.A

40. A' machine` ofthe character described.

comprising, nut' blank castellating mechanism,` a sourceofblank supply, blank ejecting means, a sei-ies'ofblankretainers, means` 'lor shifting` saidretainers-adapted to. aline one of said retainers-With' said source, another ot' said retainers `with said mechanism, and another of said retainers with said ejecting mechanism, and-m xans tor extending,` and retracting said retainers.

ell. A machine ot the character described. comprising', nut blank castellating mechanism, means adapted to positioira blank tor operation by saidmechanism, and means t'or relatively moving the blank and said nir-chanism adapted to retractthe/blank 'troni said mechanism uponeach operation:thereof.

-l-Q. A machine lofthe character described. comprising, nut blank Castella-ting; mechanism, means adapted topositiona .blank for operation byfsaid mechanism, and means Yfor relatively'moving' said-blank and saidniechanism adapted to shitand retract the blank in timed relation Withsaid mechanism..

43. A machine of the character. described,

comprising, a die, a unch, a nut blank holder adapted to position a blank between said punch and said die, and means for relatively moving the blank with respect to said die adapted to place said blank and said die into and out of cooperative relation upon each operation of said punch. n

p 4,4. A machine of the character described, comprising, a die, a punch, a nut blank holder adaptedto position a blank between said punch and said fdie, and means for relatively movingthe blank with respect to said diev adapted to relatively shift the blank and said' die and place the same into and out of In testimony whereof We afiix our signatures this 5th day of January, 1920.

EDWARD yJ. MOELLER. JAMES B. MILLER. 

